Cartridge extraction for a cased telescoped ammunition firearm

ABSTRACT

A firearm for firing cased telescoped (CT) ammunition cartridges that includes a split chamber configured to fully support a CT cartridge when it is fired, and that includes i) a dynamic rear chamber portion defining a pocket in a face of a bolt, and ii) a static front chamber portion that is integral to the barrel and separate from the bolt. A cartridge extraction mechanism engages the CT cartridge prior to the CT cartridge being fired, and holds the CT cartridge in the pocket in the bolt face as the bolt moves rearward to pull the CT cartridge out of the static front chamber portion and into an ejection position. An ejector is operable to eject the CT cartridge from the pocket in the face of the bolt when the CT cartridge reaches the ejection position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to the following United StatesProvisional patent applications filed on Jul. 24, 2017, the disclosuresof which are hereby included by reference herein:

a) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/536,445,

b) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/536,448, and

c) United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62/536,451.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was made with government support underW15QKN-12-9-0001/DOTC-14-01-INIT524 MOD11 awarded by the US Army. Thegovernment has certain rights in the invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to semi-automatic and/or fullyautomatic firearms that are designed to fire cased telescopedammunition, such as rifles, carbines, machine guns, submachine guns,handguns, etc., and more specifically to techniques and mechanisms forextracting cased telescoped cartridges from a chamber of a firearm thatis specifically designed to use such cartridges, in order for the casedtelescoped cartridges to be effectively ejected from the firearm.

BACKGROUND

As it is generally known, most traditional firearm ammunition cartridgesare constructed using a metal shell casing (e.g. a brass casing). Themetal casing of a traditional cartridge typically contains some amountof propellant (e.g. gunpowder, smokeless powder, etc.) in a rearwardportion of the cartridge that is sometimes referred to as the cartridge“body”. The metal casing of a traditional casing also holds a projectilein a frontward portion of the cartridge that is sometimes referred to asthe cartridge “neck”. Traditional metal cartridge cases typically have atapered shape, in which a relatively wider diameter body steps down to arelatively smaller diameter neck. When a traditional metal casecartridge is fired, the propellant contained in the metal casing isignited. Gases resulting from the burning of the propellant pressurizeradially and expand the metal casing against the wall of the chamber,and push against the base of the projectile, causing the projectile tobe expelled from the front of the cartridge and through the barrel ofthe firearm.

In contrast to traditional metal case cartridges, cased telescoped (CT)ammunition cartridges completely encase the propellant and theprojectile within a cylindrical shell. Firearms designed to fire CTammunition provide full support for the cartridge exterior while firing.Because the firearm provides full cartridge exterior support, the caseof a CT cartridge may be thinner than in traditional cartridges. Byreplacing the relatively thick casing used in traditional ammunitionwith a thinner, relatively lightweight casing (e.g. a relativelylightweight polymer casing), CT ammunition may provide a significantreduction in ammunition weight, enabling relatively larger numbers ofrounds to be carried per unit weight, e.g. by infantry soldiers.

SUMMARY

Designing a firearm specifically for use with cased telescopedammunition introduces technical challenges during extraction of the CTcartridge from the chamber. The extraction phase of firearm operationinvolves removing a previously fired cartridge (a “spent” cartridge) oran unfired cartridge (a “misfired” cartridge) from the chamber, so thatthe spent or misfired cartridge can then be ejected from the firearm,and so that a new cartridge can be loaded into the chamber. Firearmsdesigned to fire traditional metal case cartridges have used extractionmechanisms that rely on specific characteristics of metal casecartridges, and have chambers that are specifically designed for usewith typical metal case cartridges. For example, due to the relativelyhigh strength of a traditional metal cartridge case, the chamber of afirearm that is designed to use traditional metal case cartridges neednot radially support the cartridge along the entire length of thecartridge at the time the cartridge is fired. Accordingly, the chamberneed not extend over the base of the cartridge, since the metal base issufficiently strong to prevent gasses caused by burning the propellantfrom flowing in any direction other than frontwards towards the barrel.In traditional metal case cartridge firing firearms, a portion of themetal case cartridge at the base of the metal case cartridge is notradially supported by the wall of the chamber, and may be engagedoutside of the chamber by an extraction mechanism, in order to pull thecartridge out of the chamber. In contrast, the chamber of a firearmdesigned to use CT cartridges should advantageously provide radialsupport along the entire length of the cartridge at the time of firing,since otherwise when the CT cartridge is fired the relatively thin casematerial (e.g. polymer case material) may flow outwards at any point(s)where the cartridge is not radially supported, potentially allowinggasses created by the burning of the propellant to be released in anuncontrolled manner. An extraction mechanism in a firearm designed touse CT cartridges should accordingly operate to extract a CT cartridgewhile also providing a chamber that radially supports the CT cartridgealong the entire length of the CT cartridge at the time the CT cartridgeis fired.

Another example of the cartridge extraction challenges introduced by theuse of CT cartridges arises from the relative strengths of traditionaland CT cartridge cases. Specifically, some extraction mechanismsdesigned to extract traditional metal case cartridges may pull the casecartridge from the chamber using an extraction mechanism that relies onthe relatively high strength of the traditional metal case. Suchextraction mechanisms cannot be used to extract CT cartridges becausethe lighter weight cases used in CT cartridges do not have the strengthrequired to withstand the load introduced on the CT cartridge case whenthe CT cartridge is extracted from the chamber by traditional cartridgeextraction mechanisms.

In order to address the above described and other deficiencies ofprevious firearms with regard to firing cased telescoped (CT) ammunitioncartridges, a firearm for firing cased CT cartridges is disclosed hereinthat includes a split chamber that is configured to radially support aCT cartridge along a full length of the CT cartridge, as well as thefront and rear faces of the CT cartridge, when the CT cartridge isfired. The split chamber includes a dynamic rear chamber portiondefining a pocket in a bolt face of the firearm's bolt. The boltoperates by moving forward to load the CT cartridge into the splitchamber for firing. The split chamber also includes a static frontchamber portion that is integral to the barrel of the firearm, and thatis mechanically separate from the moving bolt. A cartridge extractionmechanism is configured a) to engage the CT cartridge prior to the CTcartridge being fired, and b) to hold the CT cartridge in the pocket ofthe bolt face after the CT cartridge is fired, as the bolt movesrearward during recoil, in order to move the CT cartridge rearward outof the static front chamber portion and into an ejection position. Anejector is configured to eject the CT cartridge from the pocket of thebolt face upon the CT cartridge being moved into the ejection position,in order for the cartridge to be ejected from the firearm. The CTcartridge moved rearward out of the static front chamber portion andinto the ejection position may be either a spent CT cartridge, or anunfired CT cartridge in the event of a misfire.

The dynamic rear portion of the split chamber is configured to contain,within the pocket defined in the bolt face of the bolt, pressuregenerated within the split chamber when the CT cartridge is fired. Thecartridge extraction mechanism may include a pivoting extractorconfigured to engage an extractor groove in the CT cartridge, such thatmoving the bolt to load the CT cartridge into the split chamber causesthe pivoting extractor to engage the extractor groove in the CTcartridge prior to firing of the CT cartridge. The bolt may be furtherconfigured to move, after the pivoting extractor is engaged with theextractor groove in the CT cartridge and prior to firing of the CTcartridge, to compress the CT cartridge, while the CT cartridge islocated within the split chamber, to a length that is less than aninitial length of the CT cartridge, where the initial length of the CTcartridge is the length of the CT cartridge at the time the CT cartridgewas loaded into the split chamber. The pivoting extractor is operable topivot away from the CT cartridge upon the CT cartridge being moved intothe ejection position, and pivoting of the pivoting extractor away fromthe CT cartridge enables the CT cartridge to be ejected from the pocketdefined by the bolt face of the bolt by the ejector, so that thecartridge can be ejected from the firearm.

The cartridge extraction mechanism may alternatively include a clampingmechanism that is configured to engage with the CT cartridge. In suchembodiments, the clamping mechanism may be configured to engage the CTcartridge while the CT cartridge is located in the split chamber, e.g.prior to the CT cartridge being moved into the ejection position. Insome embodiments, the clamping mechanism may include a collet grippingmechanism that is operable to grip the CT cartridge. In someembodiments, the clamping mechanism may include a pin that is operableto extend towards and engage with the CT cartridge.

Firearms using embodiments of the disclosed mechanisms may providesignificant advantages over previous firearms. For example, a disclosedcartridge extraction mechanism may extract a CT cartridge while alsoproviding a split chamber that radially supports the CT cartridge alongthe entire length of the CT cartridge at the time the CT cartridge isfired, thus i) preventing the case material from flowing outwards andii) preventing gasses created by the burning of the propellant frombeing released in an uncontrolled manner. The disclosed cartridgeextraction mechanisms advantageously do not rely on the relatively highstrength of a traditional metal cartridge case when extracting the CTcartridge from the chamber after the CT cartridge is fired. In anotherexample, the disclosed cartridge extraction mechanisms take intoconsideration the relatively lower strength of the lighter weight cases(e.g. polymer cases) that may be used in CT cartridges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will beapparent from the following description of particular embodiments of thedisclosed technology, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings inwhich like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout thedifferent views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasisinstead being placed upon illustrating the principles of variousembodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional top view of components in a firearm that isconfigured to fire cased telescoped (CT) ammunition cartridges andhaving a split chamber, showing a first example of a cartridgeextraction mechanism including a pivoting extractor, and showing a CTcartridge that is located in a feed position;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional top view of the firearm components of FIG.1, showing the first example cartridge extraction mechanism, and showingthe bolt having begun moving forward to load the CT cartridge into thesplit chamber, and making initial contact with the rear of the CTcartridge;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional top view of the firearm components of FIG.1, showing the first example cartridge extraction mechanism, and showingthe CT cartridge starting to push the ejector rearward and the pivotingextractor outward, as the bolt continues to move forward to load the CTcartridge;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional top view of the firearm components of FIG.1, showing the first example cartridge extraction mechanism, and showingthe CT cartridge continuing to push the ejector rearward and thepivoting extractor outward, as the bolt continues to move forward toload the CT cartridge;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional top view of the firearm components of FIG.1, showing the first example cartridge extraction mechanism, and showingthe pivoting extractor engaged with the extractor groove in the CTcartridge, as the bolt continues to move forward to load the CTcartridge;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional top view of the firearm components of FIG.1, showing the first example cartridge extraction mechanism, and showingthe CT cartridge loaded into a firing position within the split chamber,and also showing the split chamber radially supporting the CT cartridgealong a full length of the CT cartridge;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional top view of the firearm components of FIG.1, showing the first example cartridge extraction mechanism, afterfiring of the CT cartridge, and showing the bolt having been unlockedfrom the static front chamber portion and beginning to move rearwardduring recoil, and showing the CT cartridge held in the pocket definedin the bolt face in order to extract the CT cartridge from the staticfront chamber portion;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional top view of the firearm components of FIG.1, showing the first example cartridge extraction mechanism, and showingthe bolt continuing to move rearward, with the CT cartridge beginning toencounter radial clearance outside of the static front chamber portion,and showing the pivoting extractor still engaged with the extractorgroove in the CT cartridge;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional top view of the firearm components of FIG.1, showing the first example cartridge extraction mechanism, and showingthe bolt continuing to move rearward, with the radial clearance of theCT cartridge continuing to increase, allowing the ejector to push the CTcartridge out of the pocket defined by the dynamic rear chamber portion,causing the CT cartridge to push the pivoting extractor out of thepocket;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional top view of the firearm components of FIG.1, showing the first example cartridge extraction mechanism, and showingthe bolt continuing to move rearward, with the CT cartridge pulledrearward completely clear of the static front chamber portion, allowingthe ejector to reach its full stroke, causing the pivoting extractor tobe pushed completely out of the pocket;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional top view of the firearm components of FIG.1, showing the first example cartridge extraction mechanism, with thebolt continuing to move rearward, and showing the CT cartridgecompletely disengaged from the dynamic rear chamber portion, allowingthe CT cartridge to be ejected from the firearm, and allowing thepivoting extractor to return to its initial position;

FIG. 12 shows an example of chamfered lugs that may be provided at therear of the static front chamber portion of the split chamber to engagewith the rotating bolt lugs located at the front of the dynamic frontchamber portion of the split chamber;

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional top view of a first example of a CTcartridge;

FIG. 14 shows a second example of a CT cartridge, in which the CTcartridge has an extractor groove and a tapered endcap;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional top view of components in a firearm that isconfigured to fire cased telescoped (CT) ammunition cartridges andhaving a split chamber, showing a second example of a cartridgeextraction mechanism, the second example of a cartridge extractionmechanism including a collet clamping mechanism, and also showing a CTcartridge in firing position;

FIG. 16 shows an example of a collet clamping mechanism clamped downonto a CT cartridge;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional top view of the firearm components of FIG.15, after firing of the CT cartridge, with the bolt having been unlockedand beginning to move rearward during recoil with the CT cartridge heldin the pocket defined in the bolt face in order to extract the CTcartridge from the static front chamber portion;

FIG. 18 shows an example of a collet clamping mechanism unclamping fromthe CT cartridge;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the firearm components of FIG. 15,showing an example in which an ejector pin is ejecting the CT cartridgefrom the pocket defined in the bolt face when the collet clampingmechanism is unclamped;

FIG. 20 shows an example of a collet clamping mechanism unclamping fromthe CT cartridge and an ejector pin ejecting the CT cartridge from thepocket defined in the bolt face when the collet clamping mechanism isunclamped;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional top view of components in a firearm havinga split chamber and configured to fire cased telescoped (CT) ammunitioncartridges, showing a third example of a cartridge extraction mechanism,the third example of a cartridge extraction mechanism including a pinclamping mechanism, and showing a CT cartridge in firing position;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional top view of the firearm components of FIG.21, showing the third example of a cartridge extraction mechanism, afterfiring of the CT cartridge, with the bolt having been unlocked andbeginning to move rearward during recoil with the CT cartridge held inthe pocket defined in the bolt face in order to extract the CT cartridgefrom the static front chamber portion;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional top view of the firearm components of FIG.21, showing the extracted CT cartridge pushed out of the dynamic rearchamber portion of the split chamber for ejection from the firearm;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional side view of components in a firearmconfigured to fire cased telescoped (CT) ammunition cartridges, furtherillustrating the third example of a cartridge extraction mechanism;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional side view of components in a firearmconfigured to fire cased telescoped (CT) ammunition cartridges, showingthe third example cartridge extraction mechanism, and furtherillustrating the clamping pin mechanism;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional side view of a firearm configured to firecased telescoped (CT) ammunition cartridges and having a split chamber,showing a CT cartridge in the firing position;

FIG. 27 is another cross-sectional side view of the firearm of FIG. 26,after firing of the CT cartridge, and showing the CT cartridge havingbeen pulled rearward out of the static front chamber portion of thesplit chamber during recoil and into an ejection position within thefirearm;

FIG. 28 is another cross-sectional side view of the firearm of FIG. 26,showing the CT cartridge having been pulled rearward out of the staticfront chamber portion of the split chamber into an ejection position,and also showing the CT cartridge having been pushed out of the pocketdefined by the dynamic rear portion of the split chamber by an ejectormechanism;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional side view of the firearm of FIG. 26,showing a path traveled by a bolt during recoil and counter recoilduring automatic loading performed when a CT cartridge is fired;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional side view of components in a firearmconfigured to fire CT cartridges and showing a fourth example of acartridge extraction mechanism, where the fourth example of a cartridgeextraction mechanism is operable to pull a CT cartridge from a chamberusing an extracting arm;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional side view of the firearm components of FIG.30, showing components in the fourth example of cartridge extractionmechanism, with the cartridge pulled rearwards out of the chamber duringrecoil;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional side view of the firearm components of FIG.30, showing components in the fourth example of a cartridge extractionmechanism, with the bolt moved rearwards away from the extractedcartridge during recoil;

FIG. 33 shows an example of firearm components in an embodiment of thefourth example of a cartridge extraction mechanism;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional side view of a firearm showing componentsin the fourth example of a cartridge extraction mechanism;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional bottom view of a firearm showing componentsin the fourth example of a cartridge extraction mechanism;

FIG. 36 is another view of components in an embodiment of the fourthexample of a cartridge extraction mechanism, and showing the CTcartridge loaded into the chamber;

FIG. 37 is another view of components in an embodiment of the fourthexample of a cartridge extraction mechanism, and showing the CTcartridge extracted from the chamber;

FIG. 38 is another view of components in an embodiment of the fourthexample of a cartridge extraction mechanism, and showing the boltwithdrawn rearwards from the extracted CT cartridge;

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional side view of components in a firearmconfigured to fire CT cartridges, and to compress a CT cartridge locatedwithin a fixed chamber prior to firing;

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional side view of the firearm components of FIG.39, showing the bolt moving forward into the chamber;

FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional side view of the firearm components of FIG.39, showing the bolt moved into the chamber; and

FIG. 42 is cross-sectional side view of the firearm components of FIG.39, showing the bolt moved into the chamber and showing an example of anamount that the bolt face extends within the chamber to compress a CTcartridge that is loaded in the chamber prior to firing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention will now be described. It should beunderstood that such embodiments are provided by way of example toillustrate various features and principles of the invention, and thatthe invention hereof is broader than the specific examples ofembodiments provided herein.

The embodiments described herein include a firearm for firing CTcartridges that may include a split chamber configured to radiallysupport a CT cartridge along a full length of the CT cartridge when theCT cartridge is fired. The disclosed split chamber may include a dynamicrear chamber portion defining a pocket in a bolt face of the firearm'sbolt. The bolt may operate by moving forward to load the CT cartridgeinto the split chamber for firing. The split chamber may also include astatic front chamber portion that is integral to the barrel of thefirearm, and that is mechanically separate from the bolt. The disclosedcartridge extraction mechanism may be configured a) to engage the CTcartridge prior to the CT cartridge being fired, and b) to hold the CTcartridge in the pocket of the bolt face after the CT cartridge isfired, as the bolt moves rearward (e.g. during recoil) to move the CTcartridge rearward out of the static front chamber portion and into anejection position. An ejector may be configured to eject the CTcartridge from the pocket of the bolt face upon the CT cartridge beingmoved into the ejection position. The dynamic rear portion of the splitchamber may be configured to contain, within the pocket defined in thebolt face of the bolt, pressure generated within the split chamber whenthe CT cartridge is fired. The CT cartridge moved rearward out of thestatic front chamber portion and into the ejection position may beeither a spent CT cartridge, or an unfired CT cartridge in the event ofa misfire.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional top view of components in a firearmconfigured to fire cased telescoped (CT) ammunition cartridges. Thefirearm shown in FIG. 1 has a split chamber, and illustrates a firstexample of a cartridge extraction mechanism. The first example of acartridge extraction mechanism shown in FIG. 1 includes a PivotingExtractor 116. FIG. 1 also shows a CT Cartridge 102 in a feed position.The split chamber shown in FIG. 1 is configured to radially support CTCartridge 102 along a Full Length 104 of CT Cartridge 102 when CTCartridge 102 is loaded into the split chamber and fired. The splitchamber in the example of FIG. 1 includes a Dynamic Rear Chamber Portion106 defining a Pocket 108 in a bolt face of the firearm's Bolt 110. TheBolt 110 operates by moving forward in the firearm to load the CTCartridge 102 into the split chamber for firing, e.g. during counterrecoil phase while performing gas-operated automatic reloading of thefirearm or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the Dynamic Rear ChamberPortion 106 may consist of or include some front portion of the Bolt110, including for example a bolt face of the Bolt 110, such that aPocket 108 is defined as a concave surface within the bolt face of Bolt110.

The split chamber in the example of FIG. 1 also includes a Static FrontChamber Portion 112 that is integral to the Barrel 100 of the firearm.The Static Front Chamber Portion 112 is mechanically separate from theBolt 110, such that the Bolt 110 moves independently from the StaticFront Chamber Portion 112 during recoil and counter recoil to performautomatic cartridge loading, e.g. as driven by a conventionalgas-operated automatic reloading system based on a piston (not shown)driven by high-pressure gas captured each time a cartridge is fired. TheStatic Front Chamber Portion 112 may, for example, consist of or includea rear portion of the Barrel 100, and/or a piece that is fixedlyattached to the Barrel 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first example CT cartridge extraction mechanismmay include a Pivoting Extractor 116. As further shown in FIGS. 2-11 andfurther described below, Pivoting Extractor 116 may be configured a) toengage the CT Cartridge 102 prior to CT Cartridge 102 being fired, andb) to hold the CT Cartridge 102 in the Pocket 108 of the bolt face ofthe Bolt 110 after the CT Cartridge 102 is fired, as the Bolt 110 movesrearward (e.g. during recoil), in order to move the CT Cartridge 102rearward out of the Static Front Chamber Portion 112 and into anejection position. An Ejector 114 may be configured to eject the CTCartridge 102 from the Pocket 108 upon the CT Cartridge 102 being movedinto the ejection position, so that the CT Cartridge 102 can be ejectedfrom the firearm.

In order to allow the firearm to successfully fire the CT Cartridge 102,the Dynamic Rear Chamber Portion 106 is configured to contain, withinthe Pocket 108, the pressure generated within the split chamber when theCT Cartridge 102 is fired. The Pocket 108 accordingly prevents the gasesgenerated within the split chamber when CT Cartridge 102 is fired frombeing released from the Pocket 108, e.g. in a rearward or lateraldirection, and the chamber pressure is accordingly directed completelyfrontwards to effectively and efficiently drive the projectile that iscontained in CT Cartridge 102 through Barrel 100. This design of thePocket 108 in the Dynamic Rear Chamber Portion 106 stands in contrast tothe design of previous firearms that were designed to fire traditionalmetal case cartridges, and which accordingly relied on the metal case ofthe cartridge to resist the rearward pressure generated when the metalcase cartridges were fired.

As further shown in FIGS. 2-11 and further described below, PivotingExtractor 116 may be configured to engage an extractor groove in the CTCartridge 102, such that moving the Bolt 110 forward in the firearm toload the CT Cartridge 102 into the split chamber for firing causes thePivoting Extractor to engage the extractor groove in the CT Cartridge102 prior to firing of the CT Cartridge.

The Bolt 110 may be further configured to move, after the PivotingExtractor 116 is engaged with the extractor groove in the CT Cartridge102, while the CT Cartridge 102 is located within the split chamber, andprior to firing of the CT Cartridge 102, to compress the CT Cartridge102 to a length that is less than an initial length of the CT Cartridge102. The initial length of the CT Cartridge 102 is the length of the CTCartridge 102 at the time the CT Cartridge 102 is initially loaded intothe split chamber.

The Pivoting Extractor 116 may be operable to pivot a front portion ofthe Pivoting Extractor 116 laterally outward from the CT Cartridge 102upon the CT Cartridge 102 being moved into an ejection position, e.g.when a front portion of the Pivoting Extractor 116 is pushed out of thePocket 108 by the CT Cartridge 102 when the CT Cartridge 102 is pushedforward out of the Pocket 108 by the Ejector 114.

As further shown in FIG. 1, Bolt Lugs 124 may be provided at the frontof Bolt 110 for locking into Chamfered Static Front Chamber Portion Lugs126 that are located at the back of Static Front Chamber Portion 112, inorder to lock the Bolt 110 to the Static Front Chamber Portion 112, andthereby couple the Dynamic Rear Chamber Portion 106 to the Static FrontChamber Portion 112 prior to firing the CT Cartridge 102.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional top view of the firearm components shown inFIG. 1, showing the first example cartridge extraction mechanism, withthe Bolt 110 having begun to move forward in the firearm while loadingthe CT Cartridge 102, e.g. during counter recoil. In FIG. 2, the Bolt110 has come into initial contact with the CT Cartridge 102. As shown inFIG. 2, CT Cartridge 102 includes an Extractor Groove 118. The force ofthe Bolt 110 moving forward in the firearm while loading CT Cartridge102 is sufficient to overcome Spring 115 that pushes Ejector 114 intoPocket 108, and a Spring 117 that pivots Pivoting Extractor 116 suchthat Front Portion 119 is pushed into Pocket 108. A Curved Surface 111of the end of Front Portion 119 of Pivoting Extractor 116 comes intocontact with a Curved Surface 113 of the rear portion CT Cartridge 102,and the force of the Bolt 110 moving forward during loading of CTCartridge 102 causes the end of the Front Portion 119 of PivotingExtractor 108 to be pushed laterally out of the Pocket 108 by the CTCartridge 102 (as the Pivoting Extractor 108 pivots about Pivot Point119), while the Ejector 116 is simultaneously pushed backwards out ofthe Pocket 108 by the CT Cartridge 102, thus allowing the rearwardportion of CT Cartridge 102 to gradually enter the Pocket 108.

FIG. 3 is another cross-sectional top view of the firearm componentsshown in FIG. 1, showing the first example cartridge extractionmechanism, as the Bolt 110 continues to move forward within the firearmwhile loading CT Cartridge 102. FIG. 3 shows the CT Cartridge 102continuing to push the Ejector 114 rearward out of the Pocket 108, andcontinuing to push the Front Portion 119 of Pivoting Extractor 116laterally out of the Pocket 108.

FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional top view of the firearm componentsshown in FIG. 1, showing the first example cartridge extractionmechanism, as the Bolt 110 continues to move forward within the firearmwhile loading CT Cartridge 102. FIG. 4 shows the CT Cartridge 102continuing to push the Ejector 114 rearward out of the Pocket 108, andhaving pushed the Front Portion 119 of the Pivoting Extractor 116laterally completely out of the Pocket 108.

FIG. 5 is another cross-sectional top view of the firearm componentsshown in FIG. 1, showing the first example cartridge extractionmechanism, and showing the CT Cartridge 102 pushed deeper into thePocket 108, such that the CT Cartridge 102 is engaged with the face ofthe Bolt 110, and with the Spring 117 having caused Pivoting Extractor116 to pivot causing Front Portion 119 to snap into the Extractor Groove118 of the CT Cartridge 102, thus engaging the Extractor Groove 118 andbeginning to hold CT Cartridge 102 within the Pocket 108.

FIG. 6 is another cross-sectional top view of the firearm componentsshown in FIG. 1, showing the first example cartridge extractionmechanism, with the CT Cartridge 103 pushed forward into the firingposition within the split chamber, and with the split chamber radiallysupporting the CT Cartridge 102 along the Full Length 104 of the CTCartridge 102 prior to firing of CT Cartridge 102. In some embodiments,the Bolt 110 rides forward in a conventional bolt carrier during gasoperated auto-loading, and the Bolt Lugs 124 rotate and lock intoChamfered Static Front Chamber Portion Lugs 126. As shown in FIG. 6,Dynamic Rear Chamber Portion 106 and Static Front Chamber Portion 112meet directly adjacent to the Extractor Groove 118 when the Dynamic RearChamber Portion 106 is locked to the Static Front Chamber Portion 112 infiring position. In some embodiments, the width of the polymer case ofCT Cartridge 102 may be relatively thicker towards the rear of CTCartridge 102 than towards the front of CT Cartridge 102, the relativelythicker rearward portion of CT Cartridge 102 including the ExtractorGroove 118, in order to reduce polymer case flow when CT Cartridge 102is fired, to prevent a change in the shape of Extractor Groove 118 thatmight compromise the engagement of Front Portion 119 with ExtractorGroove 118. Front Portion 119 of Pivoting Extractor 116 extends aroundsome portion of a circumference of the radial wall of Pocket 108, andengages with the CT Cartridge 102 entirely within the width of theExtractor Groove 118. In order to prevent the Pivoting Extractor 116from swinging freely during firing, the Pivoting Extractor 116 may bepartially retained by the Static Front Chamber Portion 112 while the CTCartridge 102 is contained within the split chamber and fired, as shownat reference number 125. In some embodiments, a second pivotingextractor (not shown) may be provided opposite of the Pivoting Extractor116, in order to further support the CT Cartridge 102 when it is pulledrearwards after firing. In some embodiments, the Dynamic Rear ChamberPortion 106 may further include a dummy extractor portion that isconfigured to engage with some portion or all of the Extractor Groove118 in the CT Cartridge 102 that is not engaged by the Front Portion 119of the Pivoting Extractor 116, while the CT Cartridge 102 is in thefiring position. Such a dummy extractor filling the rest of theExtractor Groove 118 may advantageously ensure symmetric stretching ofthe polymer case of CT Cartridge 102 during firing. The dummy extractormay, for example, be engaged by way of a cam as Bolt 110 moves forwardand locks, and may be disengaged from the Extractor Groove 118, e.g. viaa spring, once the Dynamic Rear Chamber Portion 106 is withdrawnrearward and clears the Static Front Chamber Portion 112.

When a firing pin strikes the Primer 120 of CT Cartridge 102 (e.g. afiring pin traveling through the Firing Pin Channel 124 of the Bolt110), and the CT Cartridge 102 is successfully fired, a projectilecontained within CT Cartridge 102 is driven forward through Barrel 100and out a muzzle of Barrel 100. At the time CT Cartridge 102 is fired, arear portion of CT Cartridge 102 at the base of CT Cartridge 102 isradially (and also in a rearward direction) supported by the Pocket 108defined by the Dynamic Rear Chamber Portion 106, while the rest of theCT Cartridge 102 is radially supported by the Static Front ChamberPortion 112. In this way, the split chamber radially supports the CTCartridge 102 along a Full Length 104 of CT Cartridge 102 at the time CTCartridge 102 is fired, while CT Cartridge 102 is contained in the splitchamber.

Prior to firing of CT Cartridge 102, and after CT Cartridge 102 has beenloaded into the split chamber, Bolt 110 may advance forward sufficientlyto cause the CT Cartridge 102 to be compressed to a compressed lengththat is less than an initial length of CT Cartridge 102. The initiallength of CT Cartridge 102 is a length of CT Cartridge 102 at the timeCT Cartridge 102 is initially loaded into the split chamber. In thisway, headspace within the split chamber can be controlled and/oreliminated in order to minimize or eliminate extrusion of the cartridgecase of CT Cartridge 102 at the base of CT Cartridge 102 and/or of thecartridge endcap of CT Cartridge 102 at the front outer corner of CTCartridge 102 by eliminating empty volume in the split chamber formaterial to flow into when CT Cartridge 102 is fired.

In addition, by causing Dynamic Rear Chamber Portion 106 and StaticFront Chamber Portion 112 to be tightly coupled together at a point thatis directly adjacent to the Extractor Groove 118, gaps in the splitchamber are reduced and only allowed where the polymer case material ofCT Cartridge 102 is relatively thick. As a result, extrusion of flowingcase material from the split chamber when CT Cartridge 102 is fired maybe prevented. Because the Front Portion 119 of Pivoting Extractor 116 isengaged in the Extractor Groove 118 at the time of firing, groovedeformation that could otherwise exclude engagement is prevented. Insome embodiments, the Front Portion 119 may extend around a relativelygreater proportion of the cartridge circumference than extractors usedin traditional metal case firearms. In addition, an arc of the surfaceat the end of the Front Portion 119 may be configured to match a contourof an inner surface of the Extractor Groove 118. As the Bolt 110 rotatesafter firing of CT Cartridge 102, the Bolt Lugs 124 are disengaged andslip rearwards through matching cut outs between the Chamfered StaticFront Chamber Portion Lugs 126.

FIG. 7 is another cross-sectional top view of the firearm componentsshown in FIG. 1, showing the first example cartridge extractionmechanism, after firing of the CT Cartridge 102, with the Bolt 110having been unlocked and beginning to move rearward, e.g. during recoil.After firing, the CT Cartridge 102 is initially held in the Pocket 108by the engagement of Front Portion 119 of Pivoting Extractor 116 withthe Extractor Groove 118, at the time the Bolt 110 begins movingrearward during recoil. In this way CT Cartridge 102 may be pulledrearward out of the Static Front Chamber Portion 112 as the Bolt 110begins moving rearward during recoil.

FIG. 8 is another cross-sectional top view of the firearm componentsshown in FIG. 1, showing the first example cartridge extractionmechanism, with the Bolt 110 continuing to move rearward during recoil.As CT Cartridge 102 is pulled out of Static Front Chamber Portion 112,CT Cartridge 102 begins to encounter radial clearance, and the Ejector114 pushes against the rear side of CT Cartridge 102 in order togradually cause CT Cartridge 102 to be ejected from Pocket 108.

FIG. 9 is another cross-sectional top view of the firearm componentsshown in FIG. 1, showing the first example cartridge extractionmechanism, with the Bolt 110 continuing to move rearward during recoil,and showing the radial clearance of the CT Cartridge 102 continuing toincrease as CT Cartridge 102 is pulled out of the Static Front ChamberPortion 112. While the radial clearance of CT Cartridge 102 increases,Ejector 114 gradually pushes CT Cartridge 102 forward out of the Pocket108, which causes CT Cartridge 102 to push Front Portion 119 of PivotingExtractor 116 laterally out of the Pocket 108 as the Pivoting Extractor116 pivots around the Pivot Point 119.

FIG. 10 is another cross-sectional top view of the firearm componentsshown in FIG. 1, showing the first example cartridge extractionmechanism, with the Bolt 110 continuing to move rearward during recoil,and showing the CT Cartridge 102 pulled rearward completely clear of theStatic Front Chamber Portion 112, thus allowing the Ejector 114 to reachits full stroke into the Pocket 108, which causes the CT Cartridge 102to push the Front Portion 119 of Pivoting Extractor 116 completely outof the way of CT Cartridge 102, e.g. completely out of the Pocket 108.

FIG. 11 is another cross-sectional top view of the firearm componentsshown in FIG. 1, showing the first example cartridge extractionmechanism, and showing the CT Cartridge 102 completely disengaged fromthe Dynamic Rear Chamber Portion 106, at which point the CT Cartridge102 has reached an ejection position within the firearm. As furthershown in FIG. 11, the CT Cartridge 102 has been ejected from the Pocket108, thus allowing the CT Cartridge 102 to be ejected from the firearm,e.g. out of a lateral ejection port located at the ejection position ofthe firearm. In some embodiments, Ejector 114 may cause the CT Cartridge102 to be ejected from both the Pocket 108 and from the firearm. Inother embodiments, a second ejector mechanism may be used to eject theCT Cartridge 102 from the firearm after Ejector 114 has ejected the CTCartridge 102 from Pocket 108. In FIG. 11, the Pivoting Extractor 116 isshown having returned to its initial position in preparation for loadinganother CT cartridge.

FIG. 12 shows an example of Chamfered Static Front Chamber Lugs 126 thatmay be used in the rear of the Static Front Chamber Portion 112 toengage with Bolt Lugs 124 at the front of the Dynamic Rear ChamberPortion 106 as the bolt moves forward, rotates, and locks into thefiring position prior to firing of the loaded CT cartridge. The BoltLugs 124 require the chamfered edges of Chamfered Static Front ChamberLugs 12 to guide the CT cartridge forward as it rotates, so that thenarrow window of clearance does not need to be maintained mechanically.

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional top view of a first example of a CTcartridge, e.g. CT Cartridge 1300. As shown in FIG. 13, the example CTCartridge 1300 may include a Polymer Case 1302, Primer Support 1304,Primer 1306, Compacted Ball Powder 1308, a Projectile 1310, and aPolymer End Cap 1312.

FIG. 14 shows a second example of a CT cartridge. In the example of FIG.14, CT Cartridge 1400 is shown additionally having an Extractor Groove1402, and a Tapered Endcap 1404. In some embodiments, the thickness ofthe polymer case of CT Cartridge 1400 may be relatively greater towardsthe rear of CT Cartridge 1400, including a relatively higher thicknessin a rearward portion of the polymer case that includes the ExtractorGroove 1402.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional top view of components in a firearm that isconfigured to fire cased telescoped (CT) ammunition cartridges andhaving a split chamber, showing a second example of a cartridgeextraction mechanism. The second example of a cartridge extractionmechanism includes a clamping mechanism that includes a Collet 1516. Asfurther described below, in some embodiments, the collet clampingmechanism of the second example cartridge extraction mechanism may beactuated by a forcing cone or camming surface that would reduce theexterior diameter of the interface of Collet 1516 to CT Cartridge 1502with forward motion (e.g. during counter recoil) of the Dynamic RearChamber Portion 1506. In such embodiments, rearward motion of theDynamic Rear Chamber Portion 1506 (e.g. during recoil) would allow thecollet clamping mechanism to expand in preparation for ejection of CTCartridge 1502.

FIG. 15 shows a CT Cartridge 1502 in firing position within a splitchamber. The split chamber shown in FIG. 15 is also configured toradially support CT Cartridge 1502 along a Full Length 1504 of CTCartridge 1502 when CT Cartridge 1502 is fired. The split chamber in theexample of FIG. 15 includes a Dynamic Rear Chamber Portion 1506 defininga Pocket 1508 in a bolt face of the Bolt 1510. The Bolt 1510 operates bymoving forward in the firearm to load the CT Cartridge 1502 into thesplit chamber for firing, e.g. during counter recoil phase whileperforming gas-operated automatic reloading of the firearm. The DynamicRear Chamber Portion 1506 may consist of or include some front portionof the Bolt 1510, including for example a bolt face of the Bolt 1510,such that a Pocket 1508 is defined as a concave surface within the boltface of Bolt 1510.

The split chamber in the example of FIG. 15 also includes a Static FrontChamber Portion 1512 that is integral to the Barrel 1500 of the firearm.The Static Front Chamber Portion 1512 is mechanically separate from theBolt 1510, such that the Bolt 1510 moves independently from the StaticFront Chamber Portion 1512 during recoil and counter recoil. The StaticFront Chamber Portion 1512 may, for example, consist of or include arear portion of the Barrel 1500, and/or a piece that is fixedly attachedto the Barrel 1500.

As shown in FIG. 15, the second example CT cartridge extractionmechanism may include Collet 1516. As further shown in FIGS. 16-20 andfurther described below, Collet 1516 may be configured a) to engage theCT Cartridge 1502 prior to CT Cartridge 1502 being fired, and b) to holdthe CT Cartridge 1502 in the Pocket 1508 of the bolt face of the Bolt1510 after the CT Cartridge 1502 is fired, as the Bolt 1510 movesrearward (e.g. during recoil), in order to move the CT Cartridge 1502rearward out of the Static Front Chamber Portion 1512 and into anejection position. An Ejector 1514 may be configured to eject the CTCartridge 1502 from the Pocket 1508 upon the CT Cartridge 1502 beingmoved into the ejection position, so that the CT Cartridge 1502 can beejected from the firearm.

The Dynamic Rear Chamber Portion 1506 is configured to contain, withinthe Pocket 1508, the pressure generated within the split chamber whenthe CT Cartridge 1502 is fired. The Bolt 1510 may be further configuredto move, after the Collet 1516 is engaged with the CT Cartridge 1502while the CT Cartridge 1502 is located within the split chamber andprior to firing of the CT Cartridge 1502, to compress the CT Cartridge1502 to a length that is less than an initial length of the CT Cartridge1502. The initial length of CT Cartridge 1502 is a length of CTCartridge 1502 when CT Cartridge 1502 is initially loaded into the splitchamber. The Collet 1516 is further operable to release the CT Cartridge1502 upon the CT Cartridge 1502 being moved rearward into an ejectionposition, e.g. to allow the Ejector 1514 to push the CT Cartridge 1502out of the Pocket 1508, and in some embodiments out of the firearm.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a collet clamping mechanism clamped down ona CT cartridge. As shown in FIG. 16, Collet 1516 is part of a forwardportion of Bolt 1510 (e.g. part of Dynamic Rear Chamber Portion 1506shown in FIG. 17), and is shown closed on CT Cartridge 1502. Theengagement of Collet 1516 with the CT Cartridge 1502 shown in FIG. 16may be initiated when CT Cartridge 1502 is loaded into the firingposition, and maintained while CT Cartridge 1502 is fired. Theengagement of Collet 1516 with CT Cartridge 1502 shown in FIG. 16 holdsCT Cartridge 1502 in the Pocket 1508 while the CT Cartridge 1502 ispulled rearward to extract the CT Cartridge 1502 from the Static FrontChamber Portion 1512, e.g. during recoil.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional top view of the firearm components shown inFIG. 15, after firing of the CT Cartridge 1502, with the Bolt 1510having been unlocked and beginning to move rearward during recoil, andshowing the CT Cartridge 1502 held in the Pocket 1508 by the Collet 1516as the CT Cartridge 1502 is pulled rearward out of the Static FrontChamber Portion 1512.

FIG. 18 shows an example showing the Collet 1516 unclamping from the CTCartridge 1502. For example, Collet 1516 may disengage from CT Cartridge1502 by unclamping as the Bolt 1510 moves rearward during recoil, e.g.in order to release the CT Cartridge 1502 when the CT Cartridge 1502 hasbeen pulled rearward out of the Static Front Chamber Portion 1512 andinto an ejection position within the firearm so that the CT Cartridge1502 can be ejected.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the firearm components shown inFIG. 15, showing an example in which the Ejector 1514 is ejecting the CTcartridge from the Pocket 1508 after the collet clamping mechanismholding the CT Cartridge 1502 in the Pocket 1508 has unclamped from theCT Cartridge 1502.

FIG. 20 shows an example of the Collet 1516 unclamping from the CTCartridge 1502, and also showing Ejector 1514 ejecting the CT Cartridge1502 from the Pocket 1508 defined in the face of Bolt 1510 when theCollet 1516 is unclamped.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional top view of components in a firearm havinga split chamber and configured to fire cased telescoped (CT) ammunitioncartridges, showing a third example of a cartridge extraction mechanism.The third example of a cartridge extraction mechanism includes aclamping mechanism that includes a Clamping Pin 2116. FIG. 21 shows a CTCartridge 2102 in a firing position, loaded into a split chamber made upof Dynamic Rear Chamber Portion 2106 and Static Front Chamber Portion2112.

The split chamber shown in FIG. 21 is configured to radially support CTCartridge 2102 along a full length of CT Cartridge 2102 when CTCartridge 2102 is fired. The split chamber in the example of FIG. 21includes a Dynamic Rear Chamber Portion 2106 defining a Pocket 2108 in abolt face of the firearm's Bolt 2110. The Bolt 2110 operates by movingforward in the firearm to load the CT Cartridge 2102 into the splitchamber for firing, e.g. during counter recoil phase while performinggas-operated automatic reloading of the firearm or the like. The DynamicRear Chamber Portion 2106 may consist of or include some front portionof the Bolt 2110, including for example a bolt face of the Bolt 2110,such that a Pocket 2108 is defined as a concave surface within the boltface of Bolt 2110.

The split chamber in the example of FIG. 21 also includes a Static FrontChamber Portion 2112 that is integral to the barrel of the firearm. TheStatic Front Chamber Portion 2112 is mechanically separate from the Bolt2110, such that the Bolt 2110 moves independently from the Static FrontChamber Portion 2112 during recoil and counter recoil. As shown in FIG.21, the third example CT cartridge extraction mechanism may include aClamping Pin 2116. As further shown in FIGS. 21-25 and further describedbelow, Clamping Pin 2116 may be configured a) to engage the CT Cartridge2102 prior to CT Cartridge 2102 being fired, and b) to hold the CTCartridge 2102 in the Pocket 2108 of the bolt face of the Bolt 2110after the CT Cartridge 2102 is fired, as the Bolt 2110 moves rearward(e.g. during recoil), in order to move the CT Cartridge 2102 rearwardout of the Static Front Chamber Portion 2112 and into an ejectionposition. An ejector (not shown) may be configured to eject the CTCartridge 2102 from the Pocket 2108 upon the CT Cartridge 2102 beingmoved into the ejection position, so that the CT Cartridge 2102 can beejected from the firearm.

The Dynamic Rear Chamber Portion 2106 is configured to contain, withinthe Pocket 2108, the pressure generated within the split chamber whenthe CT Cartridge 2102 is fired. The Bolt 2110 may be further configuredto move, e.g. before or after the Clamping Pin 2116 is extended towardsCT Cartridge 2102 to engage with CT Cartridge 2102 while the CTCartridge 2102 is located within the split chamber, and prior to firingof the CT Cartridge 2102, to compress the CT Cartridge 2102 to a lengththat is less than an initial length of the CT Cartridge 2102. Theinitial length of CT Cartridge 2102 is a length of CT Cartridge 2102 atthe time when the CT Cartridge 2102 is initially loaded into the splitchamber. The Clamping Pin 2116 may be operable to release the CTCartridge 2102 upon the CT Cartridge 2102 being moved into an ejectionposition, in order to allow an ejector to push the CT Cartridge 2102 outof the Pocket 2108.

FIG. 22 is another cross-sectional top view of the firearm componentsshown in FIG. 21, showing the third example cartridge extractionmechanism, with the Bolt 2110 having been unlocked after firing of CTCartridge 2102 and having moved rearward (e.g. during recoil), with CTCartridge 2102 held in Pocket 2108 by Clamping Pin 2116. FIG. 22 showsthe CT Cartridge 2102 pulled rearward completely clear of the StaticFront Chamber Portion 2112. The Clamping Pin 2116 may then be withdrawnfrom CT Cartridge 2102 upon the CT Cartridge 2102 reaching an ejectionposition within the firearm, thus allowing an ejector (not shown) topush CT Cartridge 2102 forward out of the Pocket 2108, and potentiallyout of the firearm.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional top view of the firearm components shown inFIG. 21, showing the extracted CT Cartridge 2102 pushed out of thepocket in the dynamic rear chamber portion for ejection from thefirearm.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional side view of the components in a firearmconfigured to fire cased telescoped (CT) ammunition cartridges, furtherillustrating the third example of a cartridge extraction mechanism. Asshown in FIG. 24, the Dynamic Rear Chamber Portion 2106 located at thefront of the Bolt 2110 defines a Pocket 2108 into which may be extendeda Clamping Pin 2116 in order to engage with a CT cartridge to hold theCT cartridge in the Pocket 2108. In FIG. 24, the Bolt 2110 is movedrearward such that a CT Cartridge 2102 can be fed upward between theDynamic Rear Chamber Portion 2106 and the Static Front Chamber Portion2112, and then loaded into the split chamber for firing when the Bolt2110 moves forward.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional side view of components in a firearmconfigured to fire cased telescoped (CT) ammunition cartridges, having asplit chamber, and further illustrating an example of a clamping pinmechanism. As shown in FIG. 25, the Clamping Pin 2116 may extend towardand withdraw away from CT Cartridge 2102 within a Clamping Pin Sleeve2117. In some embodiments, a Cam Force 2500 may press on the ClampingPin 2116 to cause the Clamping Pin 2116 to extend towards and engagewith a side of the CT Cartridge 2102 as the bolt moves forward to loadCT Cartridge 2102 into the split chamber for firing. A Return SpringForce 2502 may push against the Cam Force 2500 to cause the Clamping Pin2116 to withdraw away from the side of the CT Cartridge 2102, as thebolt moves rearward (e.g. during recoil) when the CT Cartridge 2102 iswithdrawn rearward out of the Static Front Chamber Portion 2112 forejection after firing. Those skilled in the art will recognize thatother specific types of force may alternatively be used to cause theClamping Pin 2116 to extend towards the CT Cartridge 2102 to engage theCT Cartridge 2102 as the bolt moves forward when the CT Cartridge 2102is loaded into the split chamber, and/or to cause the Clamping Pin 2116to withdraw away from the CT Cartridge 2102 to disengage and release theCT Cartridge 2102 as the bolt moves rearward after the CT Cartridge 2102is fired.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional side view of components in a firearmconfigured to fire cased telescoped (CT) ammunition cartridges, having asplit chamber, and showing a CT Cartridge 2102 in the firing position.As shown in FIG. 26, the Bolt 2110 has moved forward to load the CTCartridge 2102 into the split chamber. While FIG. 26 shows an embodimentof the third example cartridge extraction mechanism, any one of theexample cartridge extraction mechanisms disclosed herein may be used inthe firearm shown in FIG. 26, in order to engage with the CT Cartridge2102 while the CT Cartridge 2102 is located in the split chamber, e.g.prior to or subsequent to firing, and to then hold the CT Cartridge 2102in the Pocket 2108 while the Bolt 2110 moves reward (e.g. duringrecoil), so that the CT Cartridge 2102 can be pulled out of the StaticFront Chamber Portion 2112 for ejection from the firearm.

FIG. 27 is another cross-sectional side view of the firearm shown inFIG. 26, showing the firearm after firing of the CT Cartridge 2102, andshowing the CT Cartridge 2102 having been pulled rearward out of theStatic Front Chamber Portion 2112 of the split chamber during recoil,and into an ejection position for ejection from the firearm.

FIG. 28 is another cross-sectional side view of the firearm shown inFIG. 26, and showing the CT Cartridge 2102 having been pulled rearwardout of the Static Front Chamber Portion 2112 into an ejection position,and also showing the CT Cartridge 2102 having been pushed out of thePocket 2108 defined by Dynamic Rear Chamber Portion 2106 by an ejectormechanism (not shown).

FIG. 29 is another cross-sectional side view of the firearm shown inFIG. 26, and showing a Recoil Path 2900 traveled by the Bolt 2110 aftera CT cartridge is fired while performing gas-operated automatic loadingof CT cartridges for firing by the firearm shown in FIG. 26. Forexample, the Bolt 2110 may move rearward along Recoil Path 2900 duringrecoil to extract a spent CT cartridge, and then forward along RecoilPath 2900 during counter recoil to load a Next CT Cartridge 2902 that isfed upwards from Magazine 2904 into the split chamber for firing.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional side view of components in a firearmconfigured to fire CT cartridges and showing a fourth example of acartridge extraction mechanism. The fourth example of a cartridgeextraction mechanism is operable to pull a CT Cartridge 3402 rearwardsfrom a Chamber 3404 using an Extracting Arm 3406. When the Bolt 3410moves rearward (e.g. during recoil), the Bolt 3410 pulls Extracting Arm3406 rearward, and a Lip 3408 on Extracting Arm 3406 engages with CTCartridge 3402 to pull the CT Cartridge 3402 rearward out of the Chamber3404.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional side view of the firearm components of FIG.30, showing components in the fourth example cartridge extractionmechanism, and showing the CT Cartridge 3404 pulled rearwards out of theChamber 3404. In the example of FIG. 35, a Rod 3502 coupled toExtracting Arm 3406 has hit a Stopper 3500 while the Bolt 3410 movesrearward in the firearm (e.g. during recoil). When the Rod 3502 hitsStopper 3500, the Bolt 3410 continues to travel rearwards, but theExtracting Arm 3406 stops moving rearwards. As a result, the CTCartridge 3402 remains at an ejection position within the firearm towhich it was pulled by Extracting Arm 3406, while the Bolt 3410continues to travel rearwards.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional side view of the firearm components of FIG.30, showing components in the fourth example of a cartridge extractionmechanism. In FIG. 32, the Bolt 3410 has continued to travel rearwardsafter the Rod 3502 has hit Stopper 3500. As a result, the Bolt 3410 hascontinued to move rearwards and away from the extracted CT Cartridge3402. As the Bolt 3410 continues moving rearward, the CT Cartridge 3402may be ejected laterally from the ejection position in the firearm, e.g.via an ejection mechanism that is activated by movement of a boltcarrier coupled to the Bolt 3410.

FIG. 33 shows an example of firearm components in an embodiment of thefourth example cartridge extraction mechanism. As shown in FIG. 37, aHousing 3702 is provided with a bushing that Rod 3700 moves through. AConnector 3704 fixes the Rod 3700 to the Extracting Arm 3708. Afterfiring, the bolt becomes unlocked and moves the Extracting Arm 3708rearward, causing the Extracting Arm 3708 to pull the CT Cartridge 3706out of the Chamber 3710 from the front of CT Cartridge 3706, e.g. by wayof a lip at the end of Extracting Arm 3708. Once the CT Cartridge 3706is clear of Chamber 3710, and in an ejection position, the ExtractingArm 3708 stops moving rearward, but the bolt continues to move rearwardso that the CT Cartridge 3706 can be ejected from the firearm.Alternatively, the Extracting Arm 3708 may move laterally out of theway, so that the CT Cartridge 3706 can be ejected from the firearm. Onthe return stroke (counter-recoil), the bolt may move forward to pick upa new CT cartridge which is then stopped by the Extracting Arm 3708. Thebolt continues to move forward holding the new CT cartridge in placeuntil the new CT cartridge is loaded into Chamber 3710 for firing.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional side view of a firearm showing thecomponents in the fourth example of a cartridge extraction mechanism,showing the CT Cartridge 3706 prior to being loaded into the Chamber3710.

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional bottom view of a firearm showing componentsin the fourth example of a cartridge extraction mechanism, including aLip 3900 on the Extracting Arm 3708, and a Channel 3902 within theChamber 3710 for the Extracting Arm 3708 to travel through.

FIG. 36 is another view of components in an embodiment of the fourthexample of a cartridge extraction mechanism, showing an embodiment ofthe fourth example cartridge extraction mechanism at a point in timewhen the CT cartridge is loaded in the Chamber 3710. The Extracting Arm3708 (FIG. 35) must match the contours of the inside wall of Chamber3710 when Chamber 3710 is closed to ensure that the CT cartridge isfully supported.

FIG. 37 a is another view of components in an embodiment of the fourthexample of a cartridge extraction mechanism, at a point in time when theCT Cartridge 3706 has been extracted rearward from the Chamber 3710.

FIG. 38 is a is another view of components in an embodiment of thefourth example of a cartridge extraction mechanism, at a point in timewhen the Bolt 3701 has been withdrawn rearward and away from theextracted CT Cartridge 3706.

While the fourth example cartridge extraction mechanism may be embodiedsuch that the Extracting Arm 3708 travels through a channel in theChamber 3710, a fifth example cartridge extraction mechanism may beembodied to extract a cartridge by pushing the cartridge rearwards fromthe front of the chamber, in a way that does not require a channel inthe chamber. Such a fifth example cartridge extraction mechanism mayinclude a connector arm that is attached to the bolt, and that reachesaround the outside of the chamber, to a point in front of the chamberwhere the connector arm is attached to a pusher arm that extends inwardstowards the barrel. The pusher arm is connected to one or more pushersthat are operable to contact a cartridge from the front of the chamber.When the bolt is activated to rotate and then retreat from the chamber,the connector arm (which may be stationary during bolt rotation via acut out in the bolt side wall) is pulled rearwards with the bolt. Adelay slot may be provided in the connector arm to allow the bolt toretract some predetermined distance before pins in the pusher armlocated within the delay slot engage and pull the pusher arm rearwards,causing the pusher(s) to push the CT cartridge rearwards out of thechamber via contact with a front face of the CT cartridge. As with thesecond, third, and fourth example cartridge extraction mechanisms, thefifth example cartridge extraction mechanism does not require anextractor groove in the CT cartridge.

While some of the above description regarding CT cartridge extractionmay refer to pulling a CT cartridge rearward and into an ejectionposition in the case where the CT cartridge is a spent CT cartridge thatis being pulled rearward during recoil after a successful firing of theCT cartridge, the disclosed CT cartridge extraction examples may also beapplied when an unfired CT cartridge is being pulled rearward into theejection position in the case of a misfire, when clearing the firearm.

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional side view of components in a firearmconfigured to fire CT cartridges, in which a CT cartridge located withina chamber is compressed prior to firing. As shown in FIG. 30, a Bolt3010 is moving forward within the firearm towards a Chamber 3110 duringautomatic loading of a CT cartridge (not shown) into the Chamber 3110.

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional side view of the firearm components shownin FIG. 39, showing the Bolt 3010 moving forward such that bolt lugscome into engagement with the chamber lugs of Chamber 3110, and FIG. 41shows the Bolt 3010 moved further into the Chamber 3110, such that Bolt3010 is locked, e.g. at a time a CT cartridge (not shown) loaded in theChamber 3110 is fired. FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional side view showingthe Bolt 3010 moved into the Chamber 3110, and showing an example of aCompression Distance 3302 that is an amount that the Bolt Face 3300extends within the Chamber 3110 to compress a CT cartridge (not shown)that is located in the Chamber 3110, prior to firing the CT cartridge,in order to reduce and/or eliminate headspace to minimize extrusion of apolymer endcap and/or case of the CT cartridge during firing.

While the invention is described through the above exemplaryembodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat modification to and variation of the illustrated embodiments may bemade without departing from the inventive concepts herein disclosed. Forexample, the disclosed techniques may be applied to and/or embodied invarious specific types of firearms, including semi-automatic and/orautomatic firearms such as rifles, carbines, machine guns, submachineguns, handguns, etc. In another example, the firearms to which thedisclosed techniques may be applied to and/or embodied in may includefirearms that use either closed bolt and/or open bolt designs.

What is claimed is:
 1. A firearm configured to fire cased telescoped(CT) ammunition cartridges, the firearm comprising: a barrel; a splitchamber configured to radially support a CT cartridge along a fulllength of the CT cartridge at the time that the CT cartridge is fired,the split chamber including i) a dynamic rear chamber portion defining apocket in a bolt face of a bolt, the bolt operable to load the CTcartridge into the split chamber for firing, and ii) a static frontchamber portion that is integral to the barrel and separate from thebolt; a cartridge extraction mechanism configured to a) engage the CTcartridge prior to the CT cartridge being fired, and b) hold the CTcartridge in the pocket defined in the bolt face of the bolt after theCT cartridge is fired as the bolt moves rearward to pull the CTcartridge rearward out of the static front chamber portion and into anejection position within the firearm; and an ejector configured to ejectthe CT cartridge from the pocket defined in the bolt face of the boltupon the CT cartridge being pulled into the ejection position.
 2. Thefirearm of claim 1, wherein the dynamic rear portion of the splitchamber is configured to contain, within the pocket defined in the boltface of the bolt, pressure generated within the split chamber when theCT cartridge is fired.
 3. The firearm of claim 2, further comprising:wherein the cartridge extraction mechanism comprises a pivotingextractor configured to engage an extractor groove in the CT cartridge;and wherein moving the bolt to load the CT cartridge into the splitchamber causes the pivoting extractor to engage the extractor groove inthe CT cartridge prior to firing of the CT cartridge.
 4. The firearm ofclaim 3, wherein the bolt is further configured to move, after thepivoting extractor is engaged with the extractor groove in the CTcartridge and prior to firing of the CT cartridge, to compress the CTcartridge, while the CT cartridge is located within the split chamber,to a length that is less than an initial length of the CT cartridge. 5.The firearm of claim 4, wherein the pivoting extractor is operable topivot away from the CT cartridge upon the CT cartridge being pulled intothe ejection position, and wherein pivoting of the pivoting extractoraway from the CT cartridge enables the CT cartridge to be ejected fromthe pocket defined in the bolt face of the bolt by the ejector.
 6. Thefirearm of claim 5, wherein the dynamic rear portion of the splitchamber includes a dummy extractor portion that is configured to engagewith a portion of the extractor groove in the CT cartridge that is notengaged by the pivoting extractor.
 7. The firearm of claim 2, furthercomprising: wherein the cartridge extraction mechanism includes aclamping mechanism configured to engage with the CT cartridge; andwherein the clamping mechanism is configured to engage the CT cartridge,while the CT cartridge is located in the split chamber and prior to theCT cartridge being moved into the ejection position.
 8. The firearm ofclaim 7, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a pin that is operableto extend towards the CT cartridge and engage with the CT cartridge. 9.The firearm of claim 8, wherein the clamping mechanism is furtherconfigured to extend the pin towards the CT cartridge and engage the CTcartridge in response to firing of the CT cartridge.
 10. The firearm ofclaim 7, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a collet gripper thatis operable to engage with the CT cartridge.